Chennai Super Kings (CSK) becomes the first team to reach the final of IPL 2018 after winning the Qualifier 1 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) on Tuesday night. After reaching the final, old CSK cricketer Suresh Raina showed his excitement through the social media and praised the match hero Faf du Plessis.
It was a thrilling game on the last night where CSK snatched a dramatic 2 wickets (with 5 balls to spare) and reached the final.
In that game, CSK captain MS Dhoni decided to field first after winning the toss. With the help of late knock from Carlos Brathwaite (43* runs off 29 balls), struggling SRH managed to put 139/7 on the board at the end of 20 overs.
In reply, CSK suffered a major batting collapse as they were once struggling on 62/6. When it seemed that their hope was over, opener Faf du Plessis showcased a remarkable batting on the tough pitch. He played a responsible and patience knock of 67 runs off 42 balls (5 fours and 4 sixes) to secure a remarkable victory for his team.
Also read: Fleming clarifies why Faf got chance instead of Billings
Suresh Raina also played a small important knock as he was the only other CSK batsman to reach the 20-run mark. Coming to bat in the very first over after the opener Shane Watson was dismissed for a duck, Raina started the innings very good and scored 22 runs off 13 balls (4 fours) before he was bowled by Siddarth Kaul.
After Raina’s dismissal, CSK batting suffered a horrific collapse and they were on verge of a defeat. But, Faf’s knock rescued them and secured a remarkable victory.
On his official Twitter account, Raina praised ‘the hero’ Faf du Plessis by posting, “Nail biting finish! @faf1307 you beauty! @ChennaiIPL back to where we belong. The finals of the @IPL. Can’t wait for Sunday. #IPL2018”
Nail biting finish! @faf1307 you beauty! @ChennaiIPL back to where we belong. The finals of the @IPL. Can’t wait for Sunday. #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/lf0y4xQDCa
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) May 22, 2018
Raina also posted a team selfie and wrote it, “#WhistlePodu Winning #Selfi”
#WhistlePodu Winning #Selfi 👌✌️☝️ pic.twitter.com/dQYiGCZSxm
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) May 22, 2018
Also watch: DJ Bravo Gives A Groovy Tribute To MS Dhoni
CSK will now play the final game of IPL 2018 on this Sunday (May 27) at Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai) against the winner of Qualifier 2. The Qualifier 2 will be played on this Friday (May 25) at Eden Gardens (Kolkata) between SRH (losing team of Qualifier 1) and the winner of tonight’s Eliminator (Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals at Kolkata)
